Police: Drone tracks down WL shooting suspect

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A drone equipped with an infrared camera helped police find a West Lafayette shooting suspect who was hiding in the Celery Bog Nature Area.

Tippecanoe County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 5:45 a.m. Saturday following reports of a man with a gun at an apartment in the 2700 block of Wyndam Way, Lt. Robert Hainje said in a news release.

A woman said Emerson LeShawn Evans III, 23, of West Lafayette, was armed and was attempting to shoot her before she escaped the apartment, Hainje said.

Police located Evans at a nearby Walmart, where he fled on foot into the Celerby Bog, Hainje said.

Police established a perimeter while a drone with an infrared camera flew over the area, locating Evans hiding in the brush, Hainje said.

"The drone team was able to direct K-9 and patrol officers to the suspect," who was arrested without resistance, Hainje said.

Evans faces preliminary charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon, confinement with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm and theft of a firearm.

Deputies also believe Evans was involved in an domestic battery and strangulation several days ago, Hainje said.